Mailbox Craft

Every kid loves the excitement of waiting for a special letter or package in the mail. Now they'll be able to have their very own mailbox to use anytime they want for personal deliveries! With a recycled container and a few craft supplies, your child can make a charming decorated mailbox that's great for Valentine cards or other seasonal mementos.

What You Need:

Empty oatmeal container

Construction paper

Scissors

Hold puncher

Pipe cleaners

Stickers, buttons or other decorations

Markers

Tape

What You Do:

Remove the lid of the oatmeal container and lay it upside down on a flat surface. Cut around the inside of the lid in a circle. Stop when you are three-fourths of the way around the lid, so it is still attached.

Your child can fold this flap up and crease it to create the door of the mailbox.

Help your child punch two holes in the top of the lid, towards the bottom of the flap. They should be a few inches apart. These are for the pipe clearer handle to fit into.

Cut a 5" piece of pipe cleaner and string it through the holes, then fold or knot them in the back to secure them in place on the lid. Save the rest of the pipe cleaner to make the flag.

Have your child measure how tall the container is, and cut a piece of construction paper that matches its height. Wrap the paper around the container and tape it together for a clean, colorful surface to decorate!

Now your child can then decorate the mailbox with markers and stickers.

Show your child how to make a flag by cutting out a small rectangle or triangle out of paper and taping it to the top.

Pierce the bottom end of the oatmeal container with scissors or a knife and let your child stick the pipe cleaner flag into the hole.

Reach into the container and fold down the pipe cleaner to keep it in place. It can be raised or lowered depending on whether your child has outgoing mail!